PRO BASKETBALL

PRO BASKETBALL; Abdur-Rahim Considering Nets

Published: July 18, 2004

While the Nets begin to scour the league for suitable replacements for Kenyon Martin, one of the players who might best fit the mold is volunteering: Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the Portland Trail Blazers' power forward.

''He's a perfect fit,'' said Abdur-Rahim's agent, Aaron Goodwin. ''We're trying to figure out every way to make it happen.''

One Eastern Conference general manager indicated that the Blazers were not open to dealing Abdur-Rahim, hoping to hold on to him through the season, then take advantage of his expiring contract for $14.6 million worth of salary-cap space next summer. The Blazers previously turned down the Nets' offer of Kerry Kittles and Aaron Williams.

Abdur-Rahim scored 20.1 points a game last season with Atlanta, but after he was dealt to Portland just before the trading deadline for Rasheed Wallace, his average dipped to 10. 1 points a game as he languished playing behind Zach Randolph. But Goodwin is hoping to force the Blazers' hand now.

''Honestly, it's not a good situation,'' Goodwin said. ''And it's getting worse all the time. I think now that New Jersey has these draft picks that they got from Denver, I don't see why there isn't a package that can get this done.''